Gold Coast wants an answer on Tom Lynch’s future even if he declares he’s leaving mid-season

GOLD Coast wants an answer from Tom Lynch about his future, even if the Suns co-captain declares he is leaving mid-season, as rumours swirl about his future.

Tom Lynch’s future at Gold Coast remains clouded.

GOLD Coast wants an answer from Tom Lynch about his future, even if the Suns co-captain declares he is leaving mid-season.

Lynch is yet to have surgery on a posterior cruciate injury that will see him in rehab for as much as six months.

He remains invested in the club and says he is yet to make a decision that will shape the entire draft and free agency period.

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But if he is to leave, any advance notice would give the Suns a key advantage with both player retention and recruiting of rival stars.

The Suns have more than $1 million of salary cap space they are reserving for Lynch for a contract that could run to six or seven years.

If he decides to leave they can immediately reassign that to other list priorities.

Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch.

It will change what they can offer the likes of David Swallow, Steven May, Peter Wright, Rory Thompson, all of whom come out of contract next year.

The Suns will also quickly move into a more aggressive list management mode as they try to secure replacements for Lynch.

The Herald Sun revealed early this year the Suns would actively investigate the advantages of being the first club to match a free agency pick.

If St Kilda ends up leapfrogging Gold Coast the Suns could have the third pick in the draft and receive pick four as compensation.

But forcing a club like Hawthorn, Collingwood or Richmond to trade for Lynch might see them secure a draft pick and established player.

As it stands, Lynch is still focusing on the club’s fortunes and has no immediate plans to reveal his future.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew.

But he said this week he would consult with his manager Robbie D’Orazio post-surgery to discuss his future.

Suns coach Stuart Dew said recently on Fox Footy he was keen to know as soon as Lynch had come to a decision.

“We’d love that, either way we’d love to know as soon as possible,” he said.

“I think Tom will do that. I’m really confident when he’s made that decision he’ll let the people that need to know, know, and then we go from there.

“That would be a great scenario and we’d love him to stay.”

The Suns will under no circumstances consider a trade with Collingwood for co-captain Steven May, which has expressed interest.

May is contracted for another year, has brought property in the area and is soon to marry fiance Tess Calver-James.

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Originally published as Gold Coast wants an answer on Tom Lynch’s future even if he declares he’s leaving mid-season